8-12 working hours set for media practitioners

After numerous appeals from representatives of the television and movie industry, working hours are now set to only eight to 12 hours a day.

Labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) advisory to regulate the working hours of these industries.

The advisory stated that working hours should not exceed 8 hours per day but “if the worker/talent is required to work beyond eight hours, the maximum actual hours of work shall not exceed twelve (12) hours in any 24-hour period.”

However, elderly workers or those aged 60 and above, are limited to a maximum of 8 working hours per day.

Child talents on the other hand, are covered by Republic Act No. 9231, which provides stronger protection for working minors.

In an article posted at the DOLE website, Baldoz said that compliance to lawful working hours will lead to healthier employees and better output for the company.

“Organizations must uphold the best interest of their human resources. Even machines need rest. If we ensure that our employees are in top shape, then we can expect also their optimum work performance and efficient work output,” Baldoz said.

Aside from working hours, the advisory also stipulated provisions for the occupational health and safety standards, adequate transportation facilities for workers, and the safe and adequate lodging or accommodation if work is on location.

Provisions for social welfare benefits are also included, stating that movie and TV workers must be also covered by Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, SSS, Employees’ Compensation Program and other laws.

The movie and television industry, as defined by the labor advisory, includes movie and television network stations, production outfits, airtime contractors, and other necessary and related industry activities or services.

The labor advisory applies to everyone, including cameramen/editors, production assistants, teleprompters, operator/editor, VTR person/editor, newscaster/anchor, managers, reporters, news correspondents, and such other individual, whether employed in a network or production outfit, regardless of the mode of compensation and length of service or engagement.

Baldoz added that a talent’s or independent contractor’s service engagement contract must also be governed by the Civil Code provisions on contracts and other applicable laws.

Violations of the provisions of the employment agreement or talent contract, as well as complaints filed, will be subject to DOLE’s 30-day conciliation-mediation services.

According to the DOLE website, the labor advisory was crafted after conferring with various representatives of the media industry, including: Leo Martinez, director general of Film Academy of the Philippines; Rez Cortez, president of Actor’s Guild; Marivic Limbo and Ramon Ramos of Producers’ Guild; as well as TV network officials, comprised of Cherrie Cruz and Timothy Isla of ABS-CBN; Fidel Asuncion of GMA; Leah Banarez of Radio Veritas; and Emmi Rose Tagala of Eagle Broadcasting.